Weymouth
Sailing
Club

Michelle Samways is a familiar face in the Club. She is a regular rescue boat driver and crew on Evisa.  She has spent thirteen days sailing with the Tall Ship's Youth Trust and has sent the Club this account.  

 "After attending a Y.O.B’s meeting on the Tall Ship's Youth Trust I became quite interested myself. I’ve been aware of the trust for many years but have never taken a big interest.

I found out on Saturday 16^th February that Starvros Niarchos was currently based doing trips in the Caribbean, so after much help from Ernie Lee and my parents, the following Saturday I was on the plane out.

At this time I couldn’t afford to go on a trip of this expense, however Ernie arranged for a sponsorship allowing my current funds to afford it.

I arrived in Bridgetown, Barbados in the early evening of Saturday just in time to watch their quick sunsets. There were about 8 of us on the same plane out and we were the last to arrive on the ship, everyone was chatty and the main conversation starter was ‘So why did you decide to do this trip?’

Sixty six Squibbers and friends enjoyed their beach themed dinner on Saturday 15 March 2008.  Bunting and tables laid out with buckets, spades and flags gave a summer seaside feel to the evening. 

Class Captain Simon Vines awarded prizes to the fleet for their activities during the 2007 season and presented a framed picture of 'Hussy' to past fleet Captain Vernon Taylor for his work over the past 3 seasons.  The Thomson trophy for the most improved boat was won by National Champions Mike and Penny Fenwick.   Mike showed everyone the trophy that he won at last year's championships.  John Thomson told the fleet about the new Great Circle Trophy Race which is planned for 2008 and donated the new trophy that he has made to the class.

Photo: Ernie Lee, Dave McCune and Robin Norman enjoying the evening.

Friday 7 March an evening of skittles with both Weymouth Sailing Club and Castle Cove members was held at the Belvedere Pub.  The WSC players with organisers Simon and Gill Vines started their evening by meeting for a meal at the Club. The teams Weycoves and Castlemouths were formed from both Clubs.  Final results were Team Weycoves 291, Team Castlemouths 265.     

The evening was deemed a great success with further matches planned. 

 On Monday 10th March storm force southerly winds combined with spring tides produced the highest water levels for some years.  Gusts of up to 75 knots of wind were recorded. The club barometer recorded a low of 95.5 mBR , the lowest that the coffee club could recall in their far-reaching memories.

Large areas of Weymouth harbourside were affected by the high tide with areas of flooding under the Town Bridge and near the slipway at the back of Debenhams.

Weymouth Sailing Club's neighbours on Nothe Parade were out in force sandbagging their houses as surges lapped over the harbour wall. Squib pontoons were as high as the quayside level.  The Clubhouse sustained damage to the Weymouth Sailing Club sign above the windows (photo was taken before this occured).

While the cruiser class are working hard on their boats in the yard, the Squib fleet with their smaller 'bottoms' are taking advantage of the good weather and walking in the Dorset countryside.

Caroline Nairn has organised a series of walks for some years.  Last weekend 14 members and dogs enjoyed an energetic walk starting from Bere Regis and finished for lunch at the Drax Arms.

Both classes are looking forward to the class dinners.  Get your booking in in good time - all members and guests are welcome to all dinners.  

Saturday 15 March Squib Class Dinner 2008 

The WSC Handbook signals the start of a new season and club members wait for it with anticipation.  With 700 members currently on the register, sending out the Handbooks is no easy task so a 'stuffing party' of volunteers meet up to sort out the paperwork.  Many hands .... as they say.

Mike and Penny Fenwick in Squib Ghost Rider are on the 2008 cover photographed during their winning trip to the Squib National Championships in Abersoch.  Mike was also responsible for updating the Handbook in his role as Sailing Secretary.  Many thanks also to Chris Olding for recruiting sufficient advertising to cover the cost of printing and mailing and to Lyn Atkins for compiling the Spring Newsletter. 

WSC presented a cheque to the RNLI raised by club members fundraising throughout the year, for £800 at the Commodore's Drinks Reception held at the Club on Saturday 16 February.  Melita Biggs, Commodore, made the presentation to Robbie Robinson Launch Secretary RNLI and wished him well on his forthcoming retirement.

Commodores of other affiliated sailing clubs, representative of the marine agencies, members of the local authority, councillors, and local businesses joined WSC members for the lively annual drinks reception.